Before getting your master’s degree, you may want to gain some firsthand experience in the field and learn more about the different areas and what public health professionals do. The sooner you start building connections and experience, the better your chances of finding a job in your preferred field after graduation. Here are a few ideas to help get you started in your search.
Volunteering is a great way to get started in the public health field. There are many organizations looking for dedicated volunteers, including:
- Health clinics and hospitals: Work on an immunization program, in a reproductive clinic or on a wellness challenge program.
- Nonprofit organizations: Provide ongoing or disaster-relief services to the public with organizations such as the American Red Cross.
- Local health departments or federal agencies: Help provide direct support services to your own community or on a national scale with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO).
- Public service organizations: Offer specific services to various communities throughout the United States or the world. Well-known public service organizations that are looking for volunteers include the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America and PATH.
Internships give you the opportunity to work with public health organizations to gain experience and help advance your career. There are many factors to consider when looking for an internship, including location, services provided, whether the program is open to students and what level of students can apply. There are many internship opportunities, especially for those with an advanced public health degree. Because opportunities vary widely, it is important to take your time when reviewing your options.
If you have already started your career or are interested in gaining knowledge and skills in a specific area within the field, you may want to consider a short-term, contracted position. The CDC, for example, offers both paid and unpaid positions that can last from just two weeks to one year in length, depending on the position.3
If you are interested in a career in public health, explore Grand Canyon University’s College of Nursing and Health Care Professions, which offers a Master of Public Health degree and other online public health degrees that can provide you with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in your community. To learn more about bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public health at GCU, click on the Request Info button.
Retrieved from:
1 CDC Foundation, What Is Public Health? in June 2021
2 American Public Health Association (APHA), What Is Public Health? in June 2021
3 CDC Foundation, Interested in Enhancing Your Public Health Career? in April 2021
Approved by Associate Dean for Graduate programs College of Nursing & Healthcare Professions on Nov. 7, 2022.